Split bobbin reed relay



Aug. 23, 1966 F. H. WAUER SPLIT BOBBIN REED RELAY Filed NOV. 27, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR: FREDERICK H. WAUER wm ayl a 51% Je ATT YS Aug. 23, 1966 F. H. WAUER SPLIT BOBBIN REED RELAY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 27, 1964 FIGS? FIGS FIGII INVENTOR: FRED ERICK H. WAU ER United States Patent SPLIT BOBBIN REED RELAY Frederick H. Wauer, Maywood, Ill., assignor to Albert F. Dormeyer, Chicago, Ill.

Filed Nov. 27, 1964, Ser. No. 414,169

' 8 Claims. (Cl. 335-154) This invention relates in general to a relay, and more particularly to a reed relay.

The reed relay of the present invention comprises at least one reed switch arranged in combination with a bobbin or spool having a coil winding thereon for controllingoperation of the reed switch. Reed relays heretofore developed have encountered malfunctioning difficulties due to the extreme sensitivity of a reed switch. A reed switch includes a pair of magnetic overlapping contact bearing cantilever reeds sealed in a glass tube filled with a dry inert gas, and having tines or leads extending from the reeds and generally as a continuation thereof through the ends of the glass tube. The reeds are separated at their overlapping portions and brought into contact with each other by applying an electromagnetic force about the reeds. Such electromagnetic force is established by a coil winding, and the tines or leads are part of the relays magnetic circuit. Therefore, the tines of a reed relay should not be indiscriminately bent or cut. By the same token, the tines of a reed switch should not be bent or cut when assembling the switch with a bobbin and coil winding to define a reed relay. For such tampering of the tines will cause significant changes in the operational characteristics of the relay. More specifically, tampering of the tines may cause mechanical stress in the tube that may, in turn, cause a changing of the air gap between the overlapping reeds. An extreme stress will even break the glass of the tube or rupture the end seals and allow the inert gas to escape, thereby decreasing switching reliability. Therefore it is important to carefully handle the reed switches when assembling them with other relay components to make a reed relay. Further, bending of the tines might cause fracturing thereof which would cause failure of the relay.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved reed relay that obviates the above mentioned difliculties.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a reed relay having reed switches with .preformed tines adapted to be assembled in a relay structure without having to change the shape or length of the tines.

Still another object of this invention is in the provision of a reed relay having at least one reed switch arranged within a hollow split bobbin with a coil winding thereover.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a reed relay with a split bobbin capable of receiving reed switches without having to perform any operation on the tines of the reed switches, and to define a reed relay that will function as a plug-in type relay.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a reed relay having a hollow split bobbin including a pair of substantially identical halves mating together which may be inexpensively manufactured and which can receive reed switches and their tines so as to provide an efficient reed relay that is not susceptible to failure be cause of the reed switches.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view with some parts broken away of a reed relay according to the invention;

3,268,686 Patented August 23, 1966 FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the reed relay but omitting the coil winding;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a reed switch employed in the reed relay of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the reed relay of the present invention and taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially along line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a bobbin half employed in the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along line 99 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of a bobbin half and taken along line 1010 of FIG. 8; and

FIG, 11 is a detail fragmentary view taken substantially along line 1111 of FIG. 10.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the reedrelay of the present invention includes generally a plurality of reed switches 15 enclosed within a hollow bobbin 16 having a coil winding 17 thereover. While the embodiment illustrated shows the reed relay as having a plurality of reed switches 15, it should be appreciated that the relay may be provided with a single reed switch or a number of reed switches greater than that shown. By the same token, the bobbin may be decreased or increased in size to accommodate the number of reeds employed for the relay.

As seen in FIG. 3, each reed relay 15 includes a glass tube 18 enclosing a pair of magnetic overlapping contact bearing cantilever reeds .19 and 20 which are supported freely within the glass tube by the end seals 21 and 22, respectively. The overlapping ends of the reeds 19 and 20 are in spaced relation, but close upon energization of the coil winding 17. The glass tube is filled with a dry inert gas, thereby hermetically sealing the glass reed Within the tube. tube 18 are tines or leads 23 and 24 which include first portions 23:: and 24a extending from the opposite ends of the tube 18 and substantially coaxially therewith, and

second tine portions 23b and 24b that extend substantially normal to the first tine portions 23a and 24a. The tines 23 and 24 are an extension of the reeds 19 and 20, and therefore integral therewith. Therefore, it is important not to disturb the positions of the tines relative to the tube 18 as such would tend to alter the operating characteristics of the reed switch. The tines 23 and 24 are preformed, that is, bent as shown by the manufacturer of the reed switch, and therefore it is not necessary to tamper with the tines in any way when assembling the reed switches with the bobbin and coil winding as in the present invention to define a reed relay.'

The bobbin 16 of the reed relay according to the invention, in which the reed switches 15 are mounted, comprises a pair of substantially identical halves 25 and 26 of non-magnetic material, such as a suitable plastic. The halves are preferably molded, and being identical, permit any two halves to be mated together to define a split Extending from opposite ends of the glass .as long as the pair of bobbin halves when mated together as shown in FIG. 4 define a central chamber for receiving the tube and first tine portions, and end chambers 31 and 32 for receiving the second tine portions.

' The center section 27 includes a bottom or top wall 33 depending upon whether the bobbin half is used on the top or bottom of the relay, and upstanding side walls 34 and 35 which extend perpendicular to the bottom wall 33. The side walls 34 and 36 are of equal height and are arranged at the opposite edges of the bottom wall 33. The center sections 27 of opposed and mating bobbin halves therefore define the central chamber 30. i

The end sections 2.8 .and 29 are substantially identical but arranged as opposites so that the center section opens into the end sections. The end sections are provided with bottom or top walls 28a and 29:; depending on whether the bob-bin half is at the bottom or top of the relay, upstanding side walls 28b, 2-80, 29b and 290, respectively, which extend substantially normal to the bottom walls, and opposite upstanding end walls 2r8d, 28a, 29a and 29e, respectively, that also are substantially normal to the bottom walls. The walls 28c and 290 are of less height than the walls 28b and 29b, and further extend up to and merge with the bottom wall 313 of the center section 27. A small portion of the upstanding walls 280 and 29c extend upwardly-around the side walls 34 and 35 of the center section to the same height as the end walls 28d, 28c, 29d and 29a and the side walls 28b and 29b. The length of the end sections 28 and 29 is greater than the width of the center section 27, and the depth of the end sections is great-er than the depth of the center section, thereby enabling the end sections to coact with the center sections and define end flanges for containing the coil winding on the bobbin and on the center sections.

The bottom walls 28a and 29a of the end sections 28 and 29 are provided with holes 36 and 37, respectively, through which the second tine portions of the reed switches extend. The holes are sized to be slightly larger than the cross section of the tines so that the tines may be easily inserted therein. Further, the holes are equally spaced apart and there-fore aligned with each other on a longitudinal axis so that a reed switch may be properly mounted in the bobbin halves and will extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bobbin. The number of holes provided will depend upon the size of the bobbin and the number of reed switches to be accommodated, although it is preferred that the same number of holes be provided in each end section. Further, it may be noted that two holes are provided in each bobbin half that are outside of the area of the center section 27 and therefore not avaliable for receiving tines of a reed switch. These holes, which may be designated as 36a and 37a, are provided wherein only the holes in one end section would be employed in a relay and for receiving the coil winding tines or leads 3 8 and 39, FIG. 1. The tines $8 and 39 extend through the chambers provided by the mating end sections and are bent over the outside surface of the bottom wall 280; as shown in FIG. 1 and arranged in grooves and 41, and then connected to the start and finish wires of the coil winding 17. The portion of the tines 38 and 39 and of the second tine portions of the reed switches that project out-ward of the bobbin half also function as jacks or plug-in elements for permitting the relay to be plugged into a suitable socket and to be connected into an electrical circuit.

When assembling the reed switches with the bobbin halves, the reed switches are positioned inone of the bobbin halves as in the position shown of the switches in the tine portions together. Thereafter, the upper bobbin half may be arranged in a mating relation and the coil winding mounted about the center sections 2-7 of the bobbin halves. Also, the tines 38 and 39 would be set prior to pouring of the epoxy.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention, but it is understood that this application is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A reed relay comprising, at least one reed switch including tines extending from opposite ends thereof, said tines having first portions extending coaxial with said switch and second portions extending at right angles to said first portions and parallel to each other, a hollow bobbin defined by a pair of halves, each half including a channel-shaped center section and channel-shaped-end section-s extending normal to the center section, said channel-shaped center section opening into said channel-shaped end sections, holes in the end sections for permitting one of the halves to receive the second portions of the tines and permitting them to project from the bobbin, means for anchoring the tines to the end sections, whereby said bobbin halves enclose said reed switch and a coil winding around the center section.

2. A reed relay comprising, a hollow bobbin having a coil winding thereover and at least one reed switch received within said bobbin, said bobbin including a pair of halves, each half including a channel-shaped center section and channel-shaped end sections extending normal to the center section, said channel-shaped center section opening into said channel-shaped end sections, hole means in the end sections, said reed switch having a closed tube with tines extending from opposite ends, each tine in cluding a first portion extending substantially coaxial with the tube and a second portion extending normal to the first portion, said tube being received in the center section whereby said bobbin halve-s enclose said reed switch and said second tine portions received in said hole means of said end sections, and means for anchoring said secondtine portions in said end sections.

3. A reed relay comprising, a hollow bobbin of nonmagnetic material having a coil winding thereover and at least one need switch received within said bobbin, said bobbin including a pair of mating substantially identical halves, each half including a channel-shaped center section and channel-shaped endsections extending normal to said center section, said channel-shaped center section openingv into said channel-shaped end sections, at least one hole in the bottom of each end section, the hole in one end section aligning with the hole in the other end section, said reed switch having a closed tube with preformed tines extending from opposite ends, the tines including first portions extending from and substantially coaxial with said tube and second portions extending from the free ends of and normal to the first portions, said tube,

being received in said center section whereby said bo bin halves enclose said reed switch and said second tine portions extending in the end sections and through the holes therein, and means for anchoring said second time portions in said end sections.

4. A reed relay comprising, ahollowbobbin of non.-

magnetic material having a coil winding thereover and at least one reed switch received within said bobbin, said bobbin including a :pair of mating substantially identical halves, each half including a channel-shaped center section and channel-shaped end sections extending. normal to said center section, said channel-shaped center section, opening into said channel-shaped end sections, the end," sections being sized to coact with the center section when the halves are mated together to defineend flanges for the bobbin and to contain the winding therebetween, said reed switch having a closed tube with preformed tines extending from opposite ends, the tines including first por tions extending from and substantially coaxial with said tube and second portions extending from the free ends of and normal to the first portions, said tube being received in said center section whereby said bobbin halves enclose said reed switch and said second tine portions extending in the end sections and through the holes therein, and means for anchoring said second tine portions in said end sections.

5. A reed relay comprising, a hOllOlW bobbin of nonmagnetic material having a coil winding thereover and at least one reed switch received within said bobbin, said bobbin including a pair of mating substantially identical halves, each half including a channel-shaped center section and channel-shaped end sections extending normal to said center section, the channel area of the center section opening into the channel areas of the end sections and the end sections being deeper than said center section, the length of the end sections being greater than the width of the center section, at least one hole in the bottom of each end section, the hole in one end section aligning with the hole in the other end section, said reed switch having a closed tube with preformed tines extending from opposite ends, the tines including first portions extending from and substantially coaxial with said tube and second portions extending from the free ends of and normal to the first portions, said tube being received in said center section whereby said bobbin halves enclose said reed switch and said second tine portions extending in the end sections and through the holes therein, and means for anchoring said second tine portions in said end sections.

6. A reed relay comprising, a hollow bobbin of nonmagnetic material having a coil winding thereover and at least one reed switch received within said bobbin, said bobbin including a pair of mating substantially identical halves, each half including a channel-shaped center section and channel-shaped end sections extending normal to said center section, said channel-shaped center section opening into said channel-shaped end sections, at least one hole in the bottom or each end section, the hole in one end section aligning with the hole in the other end section, said reed switch having a closed tube with preformed tines extending from opposite ends, the tines including first portions extending from and substantially coaxial with said tube and second portions extending from the free ends of and normal to the first portions, said tube and first tine portions being received in said center section whereby said bobbin halves enclose said reed switch and said second tine portions extending in the end sections and through the holes therein, and'means for bonding said second tine portions in said end sections.

7. A reed relay comprising, a hollow bobbin of nonmagnetic material having a coil winding thereover and at least one reed switch received within said bobbin, said bobbin including a pair of mating substantially identical halves, each half including a channel shaped center section and channel-shaped end sections extending norm-a1 to said center section, the channel area of the center section opening into the channel areas of the end sections and the end section being deeper than said center section, the length of the end sections being greater than'the width of the center section, whereby the end sections coact with the center section when the halves are mated together to define end flanges for the bobbin to contain the winding therebetween, said reed switch having a closed tube with preformed tines extending from opposite ends, the tines including first portions extending from and substantially coaxial with said tube and second portions extending from the free ends of and normal to the first portions, said tube and first tine portions being received in the area defined by the center sections or the bobbin halves whereby said bobbin halves enclose said reed switch and said second tine portions extending through the end sections and holes of one bobbin half, .and epoxy means substantially filling the end sections having the second tine portions to anchor same to the end sections.

8. A reed relay comprising, a hollow bobbin of nonmagnetic material having a coil winding thereover and at least one reed switch received within said bobbin, said bobbin including a pair of mating substantially identical halves, each half including a troughshaped center section and trough-shaped end sections extending normal to and opening into said center section, all sections opening in the same direction, at least one hole in the bottom of each end section, the hole in one end section aligning with the hole in the other end section and the axes of said holes being substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the center section, said reed switch having a closed tube with preformed tines extending from opposite ends, the tines including first portions extending from and substantially coaxial with said tube and second portions extending from the free ends of and normal to the first portions, said tube and first tine portions being received in said center section whereby said bobbin halves enclose said reed switch and said second tine portions extending in the end sections and through holes therein, and epoxy means substantially filling the end sections having the second tine portions to anchor same to the end sections.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,098,950 7/ 196 3 Geshner 317-10 l 3,167,625 '1/ 1965 Russo 200-87 3,171,918 2/1965 Killion 200'-'87 3,178,532 4/ 1965 Smith 20087 OTHER REFERENCES Multiple Reed Switch, P. S. Bolan, IBM Technical Disclosure, vol. 4, No. 7, December 1961.

BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

B. DOB'ECK, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A REED RELAY COMPRISING, AT LEAST ONE REED SWITCH INCLUDING TINES EXTENDING FROM OPPOSITE ENDS THEREOF, SAID TINES HAVING FIRST PORTIONS EXTENDING COAXIAL WITH SAID SWITCH AND SECOND PORTIONS EXTENDING AT RIGHT ANGLES TO SAID FIRST PORTIONS AND APRALLEL TO EACH OTHER, A HOLLOW BOBBIN DEFINED BY A PAIR OF HALVES, EACH HALF INCLUDING A CHANNEL-SHAPED CENTER SECTION AND CHANNEL-SHAPED END SECTIONS EXTENDING NORMAL TO THE CENTER SECTION, SAID CHANNEL-SHAPED CENTER SECTION OPENING INTO SAID CHANNEL-SHAPED END SECTIONS, HOLES IN THE END SECTIONS FOR PERMITTING ONE OF THE HALVES TO RECEIVE THE SECOND PORTIONS OF THE TINES AND PERMITTING THEM TO PROJECT FROM THE BOBBIN, MEANS FOR ANCHORING THE TINES TO THE END SECTIONS, WHEREBY SAID BOBBIN HALVES ENCLOSE SAID REED SWITCH AND A COIL WINDING AROUND THE CENTER SECTION. 